Farmer confidence dips slightly, but positivity still dominates
Farmer confidence has taken a slight dip according to the final Rabobank rural confidence survey for the year.
Rabobank's regional manager for Australia and New Zealand, Mark Wiessing, is joining the bank's NZ board.
He replaces Lara Yocarini, who is stepping down after more than three years on the Rabobank New Zealand board.
Subject to regulatory approval, Yocarini has taken up a new role as chief executive officer of Rabobank's global asset finance subsidiary De Lage Landen (DLL). She will also be a member of Rabobank's managing board. Wiessing had more than 30 years' international experience in the financial sector, including postings in South America, Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe.
He joined Rabobank in 2006 and was regional manager South America and chief executive officer for Brazil for eight years prior to his appointment as regional manager for Rabobank Australia and New Zealand in May 2023.
Before joining Rabobank, Wiessing held roles with other leading financial institutions, including Standard Bank of South Africa, Citibank and ING.
OPINION: Trade Minister Todd McClay and the trade negotiator in government have presented Kiwis with an amazing gift for 2026 - a long awaited and critical free trade deal with India.
Former Agriculture Minister Nathan Guy says he's excited about his new role as NZ's Special Agricultural Trade Envoy.
A pillar of New Zealand's horticultural industry, Dr Stuart Davis, was farewelled at a well-attended funeral service in Tuakau, South Auckland, on December 18.
A stable but uncertain year lies ahead for New Zealand primary products, says Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Director General, Ray Smith.
Additional tariffs introduced by the Chinese Government last month on beef imports should favour New Zealand farmers and exporters.
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.

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